 Conservation Volunteer Australia
|
 |
 |
|
Conservation Volunteer Australia is an amazing way to enjoy the beautiful Australian environment while making a contribution to its practical conservation.
Volunteer as part of a team and get to meet people from across Australia and the world. |
|
 |
|
 |
You can join a Conservation Volunteer programme all across Australia, including Tasmania. Choose from the following locations:
- Victoria: Melbourne, Geelong or Bendigo
- New South Wales / ACT: Sydney, Canberra, Bathurst or Newcastle
- Queensland: Brisbane, Cairns or Townsville
- Northern Territory: Darwin, Alice Springs (seasonal programmes)
- South Australia: Adelaide
- Western Australia: Perth or Broome (seasonal programmes)
- Tasmania: Hobart or Launceston
Volunteer in Australia
Founded in 1982, Conservation Volunteers Australia runs a leading conservation volunteer programme, which enables you to protect, preserve and restore the unique and beautiful Australian environment.
Conservation Australia Volunteers participate in urban, regional and remote locations on projects which include:
- Tree planting and seed collection
- Endangered species protection and weed control
- Fencing and walking trail construction
- Flora and fauna surveys and heritage restoration
- Environmental monitoring
Following your arrival at your chosen centre, you’ll join a team of approximately six to ten volunteers and meet your Team Leader. The Leader provides all training required on-site, explains the conservation aims of the project and is responsible for the safe conduct and management of each team.
Once you’ve started the project, you’re likely to spend most of the time in regional areas, returning to the city only at the end of the placement. Projects normally run five days a week, with one or two days free for relaxing or sightseeing. Working hours are from 8am – 4pm daily, although this varies on some projects when required by seasonal conditions or project activities.
This is a great way to see Australia, as the team travels to a different project location every week or two. This means that in a six-week programme, you’ll generally visit at least three different locations, and will usually undertake two or three different types of activities. We incorporate as much variety into our programme as possible, while achieving the essential conservation outcomes.
The types of projects you’ll work will depend on the location, the season and the conservation priorities, although we do our best to ensure a variety of projects or locations during each programme.
Click here to read stories from past Conservation Volunteer Australia volunteers.
What to take
As space is limited, please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kg in a backpack. We suggest that you also take a small daypack to carry lunch, sunscreen, water bottle etc. The following items are essential:
- Backpack, long trousers and strong boots
- Wet weather clothing, long-sleeved shirts, sleeping bag and mat
- Wide-brimmed sun hat, personal drink bottle and insect repellent
- Work/gardening gloves, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Mosquito net
Conservation Projects in Australia
All accommodation and meals are included during the programme, seven days a week, three meals a day.
- Accommodation: This varies according to project and location. Typical accommodation can include caravans, hostels, shearers’ quarters, bunkhouses, and camping (we supply tents). Volunteers should bring a sleeping mat as well as a sleeping bag, and be prepared to share a room.
- Food: Basic but filling meals are included. Be prepared to help with the preparation of meals and cleaning up of dishes, plus some domestic duties as required. We can cater for vegetarians but if volunteers have very specific dietary requirements (for example, food allergies), they may need to provide their own food.
- Choose to start any Friday throughout the year at any of the centres listed above. Please arrive at the centre by 11am on that Friday.
- Choose between a 1 – 6 week programme, or stay longer by adding additional weeks up to a maximum that your tourist visa will allow (normally 3 – 6 months).
- The programme finishes around 4pm on a Friday.
- Flights are not included.
- Airport transfers are not included as part of the programme, although these can be arranged on request.
- All transport during the project is included. The team travels together in a minibus driven by the team leader.
- Please note that you only require a tourist visa to participate. To apply for your visa, please see www.immi.gov.au.
- All of Twin’s volunteer placements are in partnership with recognised charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) government ministries or registered agents, giving you the confidence of working with reputable organisations.
- Comprehensive insurance is available for each of the volunteer placements.
- Our local partner provides 24-hour support.
- There are no specific skills required to join the programme, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and to contribute to the experience within your team.
- Suitable for people who enjoy outdoor activities, and have a reasonable level of fitness.
- Open to volunteers aged 18 to 70.
- All briefings, safety and project instructions are given in English.
Please remember that your contribution not only covers accommodation food and transport, but also is vital to the ongoing conservation effort. All fees are in £GBP Sterling:
- 1 week: 400
- 2 weeks: 500
- 3 weeks: 600
- 4 weeks: 670
- 5 weeks: 800
- 6 weeks: 900
- 1 additional week thereafter: 150
|
